Veterans Reflect on Holiday Amid Trump Administration, Uplift Black Military Contributions

November 5, 2025

As Veterans Day approaches on November 11, African American veterans and community leaders in Washington, D.C. are emphasizing the need to recognize Black military service members' historic contributions while addressing current challenges they face. Leaders like Dr. Frank Smith of the African American Civil War Museum highlight how Black soldiers, including formerly enslaved people, were instrumental in securing constitutional amendments during the Civil War era. However, veterans interviewed express serious concerns about the Trump administration's policies, including budget cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs, federal shutdown impacts on social services, and what they describe as deteriorating morale within the military.

Who is affected

Black veterans and African American military service members (current and former)
All U.S. veterans across races experiencing VA budget cuts and service reductions
Military families needing social services like SNAP, educational aid, and housing assistance
Dr. Frank Smith (African American Civil War Museum founder/executive director)
Donovan K. Bilbro (former U.S. Army special operations member, 2013-2018)
Jacque Patterson (U.S. Air Force veteran, 1988-2017)
Salim Adofo (Ward 8C advisory neighborhood commission chairman and veteran)
Billy Blackwell and Walter Elmore (veterans utilizing Access Housing Inc. services)
Veterans served by Access Housing Inc. Southeast Veterans Services Center
Federal VA employees facing layoffs

What action is being taken

The African American Civil War Museum is hosting Veterans Day programming including a book sale on November 10 and a commemoration program on November 11 featuring a choir, military leader, and 400 people reading Civil War veterans' names on 10 microphones until 4 p.m.
Veterans Day celebrations are happening throughout Washington, D.C., including a Grand Marshall Dinner, National Field Show for Bands on the Mall, and the National Veterans Parade on November 9
Arlington Cemetery is hosting its annual Veterans Day wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on November 11
Access Housing Inc. Southeast Veterans Services Center is providing services to primarily Black veterans, assisting with housing and life issues
The Trump administration and Republican Congress are implementing budget cuts affecting the Department of Veterans Affairs

Why it matters

This matters because Black veterans have played a crucial but often under-recognized role in American history, from Civil War soldiers who were instrumental in securing the 13th, 14th, and 15th Constitutional Amendments to modern service members protecting national freedoms. The current policy environment is creating significant hardships for veterans who sacrificed for their country, with reduced VA services, federal shutdowns affecting essential social programs, and what multiple veterans describe as declining morale and effectiveness within military institutions. The intersection of inadequate VA funding and staffing with attempts to erase African American historical narratives makes recognition and support of Black veterans particularly urgent during this Veterans Day commemoration.

What's next

The African American Civil War Museum's ribbon cutting and reopening will take place at a later date (originally scheduled for November 10 but postponed due to additional work needed)
A reception for descendants of Civil War veterans will be held on November 10
According to Patterson, it will take multiple future administrations to restore military morale and VA effectiveness to previous levels

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer